I cannot pay my judgment

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What if I already have other judgments or debts to pay?

If you have other judgments or debts to pay and find it difficult to organise your payments, you can ask the court for an 'administration order'. To get an administration order, you must have at least one judgment and your total debts must not be more than £5000.

If the court allows you to have an administration order you can pay all your debts (including those where there is not a judgment against you) by making one payment to the court each week or each month. While you are paying an administration order, the people you owe money to (your creditors) can't take any further action against you to get their money without asking the court first. Also you will not have to pay any interest.

You will have to pay a fee for an administration order, but this will be added to the money you already owe. You do not have to pay the whole fee in one go.

When the court makes an administration order, it enters the order on the Register of County Court Judgments. This will make it difficult for you to get credit until you have paid all your debts.

You can get more information about an administration order from any county court office or your local advice centre. You will need Form N270 (Notes for guidance - completing an application for an administration order).

If the court makes an administration order, you must keep up with the payments or the order may be cancelled ('revoked'). Ask the court what to do if you can't pay.

Remember:

• If you have a county court judgment against you, you must do something, even if you cannot afford the amount you have been told to pay.
• If you do nothing, the claimant will probably take more steps to make you pay. This will cost you more money, time and inconvenience.